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Tamboran borehole must be subject to full planning application - Flanagan

Sinn Féin Energy Spokesperson Phil Flanagan has called on Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to subject Tamboran’s proposed drilling of a borehole near Belcoo to the full planning process.

Speaking after Tomboran announced its intention to drill a 750 metre borehole, the Fermanagh/South Tyrone MLA said;

"The licence awarded to Tamboran was handed out by DETI without any kind of public discussion or debate.

"This proposal must be subject to a statutory planning application to allow local people and experts to have their say on the proposal.

"I am calling on the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to ensure that this proposal be subject to the full planning process, including a statutory environmental impact assessment.

"That has always been the case with such applications to date and there must be no easing of the regulatory burden in this instance.

"It is not good enough for Tamboran to say that this application itself is not for fracking. We need to know what the long term impacts of this borehole will be for the health of local people and on the local environment.

"As the minister with responsibility for planning, Mark H Durkan must actively involve himself and his department in this."